Daniel 2:39 (BSB)

But after you, there will arise another kingdom, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule the whole earth.

From Daniel 2. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Daniel 2:39

• John Calvin (Reformed), Calvin's Commentaries on Daniel 2:39: In this verse Daniel embraces the Second and Third Monarchies. He says the second should be inferior to the Chaldean in neither power nor wealth; for the Chaldean empire, although it spread so far and so wide, was added to that of the Medes and Persians.
• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Daniel 2:31-45: Daniel here gives full satisfaction to Nebuchadnezzar concerning his dream and the interpretation of it. That great prince had been kind to this poor prophet in his maintenance and education; he had been brought up at the king's cost, preferred at court, and the land of his captivity had hereby been made much easier to him than to others of his brethren.
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Daniel 2:39: And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee,.... This is the kingdom of the Medes and Persians, signified by the breasts and arms of silver, an inferior metal to gold; this rose up, not immediately after the death of Nebuchadnezzar, but after his successors, when Belshazzar his grandson was slain, and Babylon taken by Cyrus; now though this monarchy was as large at...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Daniel 2:39: That Medo-Persia is the second kingdom appears from Dan 5:28 and Dan 8:20. Compare Ch2 36:20; Isa 21:2. inferior--"The kings of Persia were the worst race of men that ever governed an empire" [PRIDEAUX]. Politically (which is the main point of view here) the power of the central government in which the nobles shared with the king, being weakened by the growing independence of the...